Appeals Court Lets Lawsuit Over Cleveland Police Crash Proceed

Danielle Lewis can pursue her claim against the City of Cleveland over a 2024 collision involving a city-owned police vehicle.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Appeals Court Lets Lawsuit Over Cleveland Police Crash Proceed

The 8th District Court of Appeals upheld a Cuyahoga County judge's decision allowing Danielle Lewis's lawsuit against the City of Cleveland to proceed. The court ruled Lewis cannot pursue a separate claim that the city was negligent in hiring, training or supervising Officer Bryce Carmichael.

Why it matters

The ruling keeps a claim over a collision involving a city-owned police vehicle in the courts, testing whether the city can be held liable under state law. Residents of Cleveland may be affected by how the city's exposure to such suits is determined.

The appeals court affirmed that Lewis's claim against the city may move forward, while barring her separate negligent hiring, training or supervision claim. The underlying merits of the case remain unresolved.

The players

Danielle Lewis

Plaintiff who filed the lawsuit against the City of Cleveland after being injured in a 2024 collision involving a city police vehicle.

Bryce Carmichael

Cleveland police officer who drove a city-owned vehicle into the side of Lewis's car on East 93rd Street.

David Matia

Cuyahoga County judge who rejected the city's request to dismiss the lawsuit and allowed the claim to proceed.

City of Cleveland

The municipal government defending the lawsuit, which argued it was protected from the claims under state law.

The details

Lewis's complaint says she and her son were severely injured when Carmichael drove a city-owned vehicle into the side of her sedan on East 93rd Street. Surveillance video shows Lewis's car crossed the center line to pass emergency vehicles blocking traffic, and the city argued it was shielded from the claims under state law.

July 26, 2024: Crash on East 93rd Street involving Lewis and a Cleveland police vehicle.
October 2025: Judge David Matia rejected the city's request to dismiss the lawsuit.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: The 8th District Court of Appeals upheld a key portion of the lawsuit.

Legal Context

The ruling tests how far Ohio's state-law immunity provisions for political subdivisions shield Cleveland from claims arising from collisions involving city-owned vehicles. Cases like this one show how courts weigh municipal liability against the protections the city has invoked.

Residents who travel East 93rd Street and nearby corridors may encounter police traffic blocks during emergency responses. The case may shape how the city handles claims arising from its own vehicles on public roads.

The takeaway

Claims involving city-owned emergency vehicles can proceed even when the city asserts statutory protections, so drivers should be aware that public-safety responses can create hazards on busy streets.